Meet nephrologist Farhad Danesh
Farhad R Danesh
Department of Nephrology, Division of Internal Medicine
About Dr. Danesh
The primary interest of our research group is to delineate the molecular mechanisms through which diabetic nephropathy progresses, and to identify and characterize novel molecular targets that could potentially prevent progression of diabetic kidney disease. We utilize animal models of diabetes to accomplish these ambitious goals. Along these lines, we aim to examine the novel regulatory factors that lead to the development and/or progression of diabetic nephropathy. We are currently testing two broad objectives. The first is to gain insight into the pathobiology of mitochondria in the kidneys. In particular, we want to understand the biological functions of mitochondrial dynamics and how disrupting the functions of mitochondria contribute to the pathogenesis of diabetic kidney disease. Our group discovered that mitochondrial dynamics is a major molecular mechanism implicated in glucose-mediated microvascular organ damage (Wang W et al. Cell Met. 2012,15:186-200).. This has created a paradigm shift in the field. The second is to understand the regulatory effects of microRNAs in microvascular complications of diabetes. Our laboratory has been on the forefront of identifying multiple miRNAs and their downstream effectors in the kidney. We have recently published novel observations on the potential effects of miRNAs in diabetic nephropathy (Long J. et al: J. Biol. Chem. 2010, 285:23457–23465; and Long J. et al: J. Biol. Chem. 2011, 286: 11837-11848). These collective efforts have significantly accelerated the process of assessing the role of miRNAs in the pathobiology of diabetic nephropathy. Collectively, our research paradigm uses a combined approach of molecular genetics, genomics and epigenomics to understand the underlying pathological and molecular basis of diabetic nephropathy.
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Professor, Division of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Adjunct Professor of Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
Professor, Department of Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Division of Nephrology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 1989 | University of Alcala, Madrid, ESP, MD, Medicine |
Postgraduate Training
| 1998-1999 | Research Fellowship, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL |
| 1996-1998 | Nephrology Fellowship, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL |
| 1993-1996 | Internship/Residency, University of Chicago / Weiss Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL |
| 1991-1992 | Research Fellowship, University of Toronto, Toronto |
Experience & Service
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Chief, Section of Nephrology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2013 - Present
Professional Memberships
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Long J, Badal SS, Ye Z, Wang Y, Ayanga BA, Galvan DL, Green NH, Chang BH, Overbeek PA, Danesh FR. Long noncoding RNA Tug1 regulates mitochondrial bioenergetics in diabetic nephropathy. J Clin Invest 126(11):4205-4218, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27760051.
- Ayanga BA, Badal SS, Wang Y, Galvan DL, Chang BH, Schumacker PT, Danesh FR. Dynamin-Related Protein 1 Deficiency Improves Mitochondrial Fitness and Protects against Progression of Diabetic Nephropathy. J Am Soc Nephrol 27(9):2733-47, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 26825530.
- Doshi M, Lahoti A, Danesh FR, Batuman V, Sanders PW, American Society of Nephrology Onco-Nephrology Forum. Paraprotein-Related Kidney Disease: Kidney Injury from Paraproteins-What Determines the Site of Injury?. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27526707.
- Badal SS, Wang Y, Long J, Corcoran DL, Chang BH, Truong LD, Kanwar YS, Overbeek PA, Danesh FR. miR-93 regulates Msk2-mediated chromatin remodelling in diabetic nephropathy. Nat Commun 28(7):12076-82, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27350436.
- Peng H, Cao J, Yu R, Danesh F, Wang Y, Mitch WE, Xu J, Hu Z. CKD Stimulates Muscle Protein Loss Via Rho-associated Protein Kinase 1 Activation. J Am Soc Nephrol 27(2):509-19, 2016. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 26054539.
- Badal SS, Danesh FR. Diabetic Nephropathy: Emerging Biomarkers for Risk Assessment. Diabetes 64(9):3063-5, 2015. PMID: 26294427.
- Luo J, Liang M, Mitch WE, Danesh FR, Yu M, Cheng J. FSP-1 Impairs the Function of Endothelium Leading to Failure of Arteriovenous Grafts in Diabetic Mice. Endocrinology 156(6):2200-10, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 25774552.
- Badal SS, Danesh FR. MicroRNAs and their applications in kidney diseases. Pediatr Nephrol 30(5):727-40, 2015. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 24928414.
- Badal SS, Danesh FR. New insights into molecular mechanisms of diabetic kidney disease. Am J Kidney Dis 63(2 Suppl 2):S63-83, 2014. PMID: 24461730.
- Long J, Badal SS, Wang Y, Chang BH, Rodriguez A, Danesh FR. MicroRNA-22 is a Master Regulator of Bone Morphogenetic Protein-7/6 Homeostasis in the Kidney. J Biol Chem 288(51):36202-14, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 24163368.
- Wang W, He B, Shi W, Liang X, Ma J, Shan Z, Hu Z, Danesh FR. Deletion of scavenger receptor A protects mice from progressive nephropathy independent of lipid control during diet-induced hyperlipidemia. Kidney Int 81(10):1002-14, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22377830.
- Wang W, Wang Y, Long J, Wang J, Haudek SB, Overbeek P, Chang BH, Schumacker PT, Danesh FR. Mitochondrial fission triggered by hyperglycemia is mediated by ROCK1 activation in podocytes and endothelial cells. Cell Metab 15(2):186-200, 2012. PMID: 22326220.
- Wang W, Badal S, Wang Y, Long J, Wang J, Danesh FR. Real-Time In Vivo Mitochondrial Redox Assessment Confirms Enhanced Mitochondrial ROS in Diabetic Nephropathy.
Editorials
- Galvan DL, Danesh FR. Paradoxical Role of IL-17 in Progression of Diabetic Nephropathy. J Am Soc Nephrol 27(3):657-8, 2016.
- Badal SS, Danesh FR. Strategies to reverse endothelial dysfunction in diabetic nephropathy. Kidney Int 82(11):1151-4, 2012.
- Badal SS, Danesh FR. Managing microvascular complications of diabetes with microRNAs. J Am Soc Nephrol 23(2):185-7, 2012.
Book Chapters
- Paparello J, Danesh FR. Pier Module 11. In: Acute Glomerulonephritis. American College of Physicians, 2004.
Grant & Contract Support
| Title: | Rho Kinases in diabetic nephropathy |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NIDDK |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | Mechanisms of protein-energy wasting in chronic kidney disease |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NIDDK |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |